How are Christians persecuted in Saudi Arabia?
- Converts from Islam face the risk of being disowned and shamed by their family or attacked by their clan. The risk of being killed for following Jesus is a very real one. Conversion also theoretically carries the death penalty, though that have been no documented executions for this reason.
- Migrant workers make up a large part of the Christian population in Saudi Arabia and suffer from heightened surveillance, exploitation and discrimination because of their ethnicity. Sharing their faith is prohibited and they can risk arrest and deportation if discovered.
- Christian women live under male authority and, if their faith is discovered, they could be rejected from the household or face physical abuse. Some face loss of child custody or divorce, and the threat of ‘honour’ killings force many to keep their faith hidden.
“Converts from Islam must live their faith in secret with utmost caution and secrecy.”
Talal
- “Most Muslims who come to Christ in Saudi Arabia will never tell their family about their newfound conviction,” shares Talal*. “They must live their faith in secret with utmost caution and secrecy. This is why many Saudi Christians suffer from loneliness.”
Why are Christians persecuted in Saudi Arabia?
- To be a citizen of Saudi Arabia is to be Muslim and Mecca and Medina are venerated as sites of high importance by Muslims globally. Those who deviate from Islam are targeted for ‘dishonouring’ the culture and identity of the nation.
- The government prohibits the public practice of non-Muslim faith, leading to discrimination in multiple spheres of life. There are no official church buildings in the country.
Who is particularly vulnerable in Saudi Arabia?
- Believers who have converted from Islam remain the most at threat of intense persecution, even from their closest family members. Many live out their faith in secret.
- Migrant workers are especially vulnerable in the workplace, enduring exploitation and abuse for their faith.
What has changed in Saudi Arabia in the past year?
- Saudi Arabia’s persecution score rose this year, but its rank fell by one spot because of worsening situations in other countries. It continues to be an extremely difficult place for Christians to live in.
- Several Christian migrants were deported in 2025. Some were given the reason ‘Christianity’ as the explanation, whilst most were not told the cause of their expulsion. One house church was shut down and its members expelled from Saudi Arabia without explanation.
How can I help Christians in Saudi Arabia?
“In communities, Christians grow and flourish.”
Talal
- Talal says, “We want Saudi Christians to feel less alone. We want to try to break the chains of fear, encouraging them to meet with others and connecting them to a community. In communities, Christians grow and flourish.”
- Please continue to pray for believers in Saudi Arabia. Your prayers are essential in helping them stand firm for Jesus amidst the isolation they feel.
Open Doors raises prayer support for believers in Saudi Arabia.
*Name changed for security reasons
please pray
Father, we thank You for the courage and perseverance of Christians in Saudi Arabia. Please grant them Your peace, wisdom and protection as they walk a difficult path. Would You help them to find and connect with other believers for communion and discipleship? We pray that You will continue to reveal Yourself in dreams and visions to Your children in Saudi Arabia, and that there will be opportunities for the gospel message to spread, despite hostility. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
